How much funding can be received?

Get $50,000 to cover 80% of the total cost of the project for up to 24 months to support a broad range of climate solutions promoting equity, reconciliation, job creation, community resilience, and other environmental benefits.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

The Accelerating to Zero Grant Program offers structured financing options to support impactful projects focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering community benefits. The program provides various funding avenues designed to accommodate different project needs and timelines.

Up to $75,000 per project under the Partnership Stream, supporting projects up to 24 months in duration.
Up to $10,000 per grant under the Catalyst Stream, designed as seed funding for new initiatives with a simplified application process.
Grants cover up to 80% of total project costs, with a minimum of 20% of project costs covered by matching funds or in-kind contributions.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant prioritizes projects within the Halifax Regional Municipality that have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and benefit the community. The activities eligible under this grant aim to promote a sustainable, low-carbon future while emphasizing equity and inclusive participation.

Development of low-carbon affordable housing through retrofits, net-zero construction, and capacity building.
Implementation of community-driven renewable energy projects, emphasizing social equity and innovative financing.
Exploration of shared and electric transportation solutions that benefit the entire community.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 40,000

Launching a community solar energy project to enhance local renewable energy use

$ 40,000

Developing urban green spaces to increase community resilience and biodiversity

$ 32,000

Implementing a recycling program schools to reduce waste and promote environmental stewardship

$ 40,000

Establishing a green roofing program for small businesses to enhance urban sustainability

$ 40,000

Creating a mobile app to promote sustainable transportation choices and reduce carbon footprint

$ 40,000

Launching a community composting program to reduce organic waste and improve soil health

grant_single_labels|admissibility

We welcome applications from a broad spectrum of organizations and companies, with the following exceptions:

Individuals
Individual schools or classrooms
Provincially owned entities, including crown corporations
Political parties

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Organizations eligible to apply for this grant encompass a broad range of entities, with certain exceptions and recommended profiles aimed at enhancing community-driven climate initiatives.

Registered non-profit organizations that aim to advance climate action initiatives.
Community groups active in environmental sustainability within Halifax or broader Nova Scotia.
Indigenous organizations and communities proposing climate or equity-focused projects.
Academic institutions with partnered research aligned with emission reduction goals, excluding individual schools or classrooms.
Private companies engaged in sustainability and community enhancement projects, except those wholly-owned by provincial entities.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant program excludes specific types of organizations due to their nature and function. These exclusions help ensure the grants are allocated to entities that support the program's community-focused objectives.

Individuals.
Individual schools or classrooms.
Provincially owned entities, including crown corporations.
Political parties.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This grant is aimed at supporting projects that advance climate action, equity, and community empowerment within Halifax/Kjipuktuk. Eligible projects either directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions or set the stage for continued reduction efforts, ensuring a just and equitable transition to low-carbon solutions.

Development of low-carbon affordable housing, including building retrofits and net-zero new constructions.
Community-driven renewable energy projects focusing on social equity and innovative financing.
Shared and electric transportation solutions like e-bikes and car sharing that benefit communities.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is targeted towards organizations that have a significant presence within the Halifax Regional Municipality. It also considers projects led by or involving Indigenous or African Nova Scotian communities, regardless of their specific location, provided they benefit the HRM.

Primarily within the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).
Open to Indigenous or African Nova Scotian communities, potentially beyond HRM, if benefits are directed towards HRM.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria that focus on the project’s potential for climate impact, equitable participation, community benefits, and reconciliation efforts.

Climate Impact: Projects should demonstrate long-term carbon reduction potential, focusing on scalability and replicability to increase impact.
Equitable Participation: Projects must address historical and systemic disadvantages, empowering groups and facilitating inclusive participation.
Community and Partnerships: Projects should foster strong partnerships, enhance community vitality, and contribute to job creation, resilience, capacity building, and affordability.
Reconciliation: Projects should advance a Reconciliation economy, collaborating with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and incorporating traditional knowledge.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Review Program Guidelines and Eligibility
- Familiarize yourself with the program's eligibility criteria and guidelines.
- Ensure your organization and project meet the necessary requirements to apply.
Step 2: Submit Your Idea Online
- Visit the grant's official website and fill out the initial online form.
- Provide details about your project concept and its alignment with the grant's objectives.
Step 3: Initial Discussion Setup
- After submission, expect the organization to reach out to schedule a discussion.
- Engage in dialogue to co-develop projects aligning with grant objectives.
Step 4: Develop Project Plan
- Work alongside grant providers to form a detailed project charter and budget.
- Ensure the project plan highlights community benefits and sustainability efforts.
Step 5: Application Review
- A review committee evaluates the application and provides feedback.
- Refine the proposal based on constructive feedback from the review.
Step 6: Final Submission and Decision
- Submit the refined application for final consideration.
- The funding decision will be communicated after the closing assessment.
Step 7: Engage with Catalyst Stream Application (if applicable)
- Submit an online inquiry or engage in a conversation if applying to the Catalyst Stream.
- Participate in a streamlined application process for seed funding.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Grants can cover up to 80% of total project costs, with a requirement for matching funds or in-kind contributions for the remaining 20%.
The funding is aimed at fostering sustainability and shared efforts, encouraging community engagement and resource sharing.
Projects demonstrating partnership with historically racialized, marginalized, or excluded communities are viewed favorably to promote inclusivity and equity.
The maximum project duration is 24 months, although shorter projects are encouraged.
A detailed evaluation framework is available for applicants to better understand the granting criteria.

Apply to this program

Supporting Community-Driven Climate Action

The HCi3 grant is designed to support innovative projects in Halifax/Kjipuktuk aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 through equitable and low-carbon solutions. It encourages applications that prioritize community engagement, equity, and effective greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies through 2024.

Enhancing Low-Carbon Solutions and Community Empowerment

The HCi3 grant serves as a crucial catalyst for driving forward community-centered climate initiatives in Halifax/Kjipuktuk. With the ambitious aim of achieving net-zero emissions by the year 2050, this grant program encourages innovative projects that either directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions or contribute to creating an enduring foundation for continuous emissions mitigation. The focus is unmistakably on integrating equity into climate strategies, thus empowering communities through prospective partnerships and capacitive enhancements.

A pivotal element of this grant is its invitation to projects that root themselves in the community's core, ensuring that both the environmental and social beneficence extend to all sectors of society. By prioritizing projects that integrate aspects such as low-carbon affordable housing, community-driven renewable energy solutions, and shared or electric transportation systems, the grant addresses multiple facets of urban sustainability. It seeks to ensure that solutions not only mitigate climate impacts but also foster socio-economic inclusivity and resilience.

Particularly notable within HCi3’s support framework is the keen encouragement of proposals that acknowledge and incorporate the unique roles of historically marginalized groups. With this focus, the HCi3 grant resonates deeply with a commitment to inclusivity and systemic correction, ensuring that projects lift community voices, particularly those previously underrepresented in environmental affairs. By aiming for a just transition, this initiative actively promotes bridging historical and systemic disparities, ensuring that climate solutions are shaped by diverse community inputs and are accessible to those most affected by climate policy shifts.

HCi3 offers two distinct streams of funding: the Partnership Stream and the Catalyst Stream. The Partnership Stream provides up to $75,000 per project, suitable for collaborative endeavors that stretch up to 24 months. It is designed for projects that involve establishing or enhancing partnerships. On the other hand, the Catalyst Stream offers up to $10,000 in seed funding and is tailored for new initiatives, featuring a simplified application process to help quickly mobilize grassroots innovation.

While the financial backing is substantial, the real strength of the HCi3 grant lies in its holistic support system. This includes potential access to an expansive network of expertise, resources for capacity building, and strategic alignment with broader environmental and social goals at the municipal level. With a total of $400,000 allocated for grants in 2024 and possible coverage of up to 80% of project costs, this program greatly incentivizes the collaborative use of resources and underscores the value of shared success.

In sum, the HCi3 grant is an instrumental force propelling Halifax/Kjipuktuk towards a resilient, equitable, and net-zero future. By aligning financial aid, community support, and innovative thinking, this initiative offers a fertile ground for cultivating scalable, transformative climate solutions that carry the potential for replication beyond local confines, amplifying impacts and embedding sustainable change deeply into the community fabric.